Nigerian Man Jailed For Life In UK For Murder (Photo)

A Nigerian fugitive, Abdul Adewale
Kekere-Ekun, who was arrested on
February 12, 2015 by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission,
for identity theft-related offences, has
been sentenced to life imprisonment
in the United Kingdom.

He was jailed for the murder of 18-
year-old Marcus Hall in 2001,
following a brawl outside Luton’s
Atmosphere Nightclub, where the
popular music group, So Solid Crew,
had performed.

Though 39-year old Mr. Kekere-Ekun,
who goes by several aliases like
Adebayo Dalvin James Ekun, Adeba
Yo Kekere-Ekun, Adeba Yo Muta Lito
Kekere-Ekun, James Dalvin, James
Adebayo, had initially pleaded guilty
to the murder charge before the
Luton Crown Court, he later fled to
Nigeria.

He was, however, arrested in Nigeria
in February by the EFCC.

During investigation, it was revealed
that Mr. Kekere-Ekun, who was
arrested for fraud, was on the wanted
list of the United Kingdom Police.

Consequently, an extradition notice
signed by the then Attorney General
of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, was
served on him by the EFCC.

He was finally extradited to the
United Kingdom, where he reportedly
admitted to the killing.

Before his conviction Monday, seven
of the gang members had been
convicted in 2002 and 2003 for their
part in Mr. Hall’s murder, but two
convictions were later quashed.

Revealing how he was traced, the
Bedfordshire Police said he was
identified in CCTV footage of the
attack, where he was wearing a
distinctive checked coat.

Upon discovery of a flyer for the shop
found by the Bedfordshire Police
during a raid on his home, detectives
went to a designer clothes store in
London, where it was discovered that
the jacket was one of only nine sold
in the United Kingdom and the
convict was listed as one of the
buyers.

After the sentencing, Mr. Hall’s
mother, Icelyn Wilson, in a statement
issued through the Bedfordshire
Police, was quoted to have said, ‘‘My
son’s death still hurts as if it had
happened yesterday and I will never
get over it.

You did not just ruin one life, you left
a ‘ripple effect’ which has impacted
on everyone involved in my son,
Marcus’ life.”